The Association of Syrian Journalists, an organization that monitors and documents violations against journalists and media activists in Syria, said that with the death of the American journalist James Foley and a Syrian media activist in August, the number of journalists and media activists killed so far in Syria totaled 248 since March 2011. The Association also said it had documented another violation against media activists, including kidnappings by the Asaish militiamen, a group affiliated with the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The same period covered by the report saw various violations against media activists and journalists in rebel-held areas, which prompted the Association to “call on all battalions and armed forces in these areas to respect the freedom of the media work and work to ensure the safety of media workers and holding accountable all those involved in the violations.” (Source: Syrian Journalists Association + Syrian Coalition) (Source: Association of Syrian Journalists)